Madlen Davies
@madlendavies.bsky.social
Senior editor at
@examinationnews.bsky.social, a nonprofit newsroom covering tobacco, industrialised food, oil & gas and the drug industry.
@examinationnews.bsky.social, a nonprofit newsroom covering tobacco, industrialised food, oil & gas and the drug industry.
Pinned
Madlen Davies
@madlendavies.bsky.social
· Mar 20
Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.
Fueled by misleading marketing claims, the German drugmaker’s painkiller tapentadol is on the rise.
www.theexamination.org
Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid tapentadol as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
A prolific nicotine researcher who has always maintained that he is independent from industry was paid thousands of euros by Juul to lobby Israel's health ministry. Great story by @mattchapman.bsky.social @theexamination.org @lemonde.fr @reportersunited.gr www.theexamination.org/articles/juu...
‘Independent’ expert who helped shape global vaping debate was paid thousands by Juul
A Greek physician who has extensively studied nicotine was paid by Juul to lobby against Israeli vaping regulations. He didn’t disclose the payment in his research.
www.theexamination.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A prolific nicotine researcher who has always maintained that he is independent from industry was paid thousands of euros by Juul to lobby Israel's health ministry. Great story by @mattchapman.bsky.social @theexamination.org @lemonde.fr @reportersunited.gr www.theexamination.org/articles/juu...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
Lord Strathcarron, a hereditary peer trying to stop a smoking ban for future generations, told me he discussed the bill with a relative at British American Tobacco. His amendments will be voted on in the House of Lords tomorrow. www.theexamination.org/articles/uk-...
Lawmaker with family ties to British American Tobacco attempts to stop UK smoking ban
Lord Strathcarron didn’t publicly disclose his family connection even as he adopted the tobacco giant’s position on a “smoke-free generation” bill.
www.theexamination.org
October 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Lord Strathcarron, a hereditary peer trying to stop a smoking ban for future generations, told me he discussed the bill with a relative at British American Tobacco. His amendments will be voted on in the House of Lords tomorrow. www.theexamination.org/articles/uk-...
Auditorium II at 1715
Doctors of Europe, are you at #WONCA25 in Lisbon? I’ll be presenting on how pharma companies have tried to influence prescribing, as revealed in @theexamination.org #WorldofPain reporting. Come and listen! www.theexamination.org/series/world...
World of Pain
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
September 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Auditorium II at 1715
Doctors of Europe, are you at #WONCA25 in Lisbon? I’ll be presenting on how pharma companies have tried to influence prescribing, as revealed in @theexamination.org #WorldofPain reporting. Come and listen! www.theexamination.org/series/world...
World of Pain
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
September 19, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Doctors of Europe, are you at #WONCA25 in Lisbon? I’ll be presenting on how pharma companies have tried to influence prescribing, as revealed in @theexamination.org #WorldofPain reporting. Come and listen! www.theexamination.org/series/world...
‘Nicotine-free’ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. But are they safe? Leslie Liang reports for @theexamination.org www.theexamination.org/articles/nic...
‘Nicotine-free’ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. Health concerns remain.
Outlaw Dip, Spree Bar and other nicotine alternatives aren’t regulated in many countries. Researchers warn about health risks and misleading marketing.
www.theexamination.org
September 19, 2025 at 8:33 AM
‘Nicotine-free’ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. But are they safe? Leslie Liang reports for @theexamination.org www.theexamination.org/articles/nic...
🚨Investigative journalists! Are you headed to #GIJC25 in Malaysia? @theexamination.org is hosting a one-day pre-conference dedicated to reporting on the the industries responsible for the most preventable deaths globally. Sign up here: gijc2025.org/pre-conferen...
Pre-Conference Day Events
Before the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference officially kicks off, GIJC25 will host a focused day of high-impact workshops and special gatherings led by top investigative journalists and...
gijc2025.org
September 8, 2025 at 7:36 AM
🚨Investigative journalists! Are you headed to #GIJC25 in Malaysia? @theexamination.org is hosting a one-day pre-conference dedicated to reporting on the the industries responsible for the most preventable deaths globally. Sign up here: gijc2025.org/pre-conferen...
We are looking for an investigative editor @examinationnews to lead our food and polluting industries beats. Come join a mission driven nonprofit and help lead a team of hungry reporters. www.theexamination.org/careers/inve...
Investigative editor
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
August 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
We are looking for an investigative editor @examinationnews to lead our food and polluting industries beats. Come join a mission driven nonprofit and help lead a team of hungry reporters. www.theexamination.org/careers/inve...
🚨The UN has softened its declaration on tackling diseases like cancer, obesity and diabetes, per a draft obtained by @examinationnews It has dropped plans for sugary drink taxes, graphic cigarette warnings & alcohol ad curbs, alarming health experts. www.theexamination.org/articles/new...
New draft UN declaration rolls back proposed restrictions on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco
Calls for sugar taxes, nondescript packaging for tobacco and restrictions on alcohol advertising were removed during negotiations ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in September.
www.theexamination.org
August 14, 2025 at 10:41 AM
🚨The UN has softened its declaration on tackling diseases like cancer, obesity and diabetes, per a draft obtained by @examinationnews It has dropped plans for sugary drink taxes, graphic cigarette warnings & alcohol ad curbs, alarming health experts. www.theexamination.org/articles/new...
Cigarettes in Laos cost 24p a pack. Why so cheap? The Laotian government signed a deal with the tobacco giant that kept tobacco excise taxes low -- and enriched a local tycoon. Great story by @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social www.theexamination.org/articles/how...
Imperial Brands' confidential deal with Laotian government - low cigarette prices and an enriched insider
The deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years.
www.theexamination.org
June 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Cigarettes in Laos cost 24p a pack. Why so cheap? The Laotian government signed a deal with the tobacco giant that kept tobacco excise taxes low -- and enriched a local tycoon. Great story by @jasonmclure.bsky.social @maria-perez.bsky.social www.theexamination.org/articles/how...
🚨We are hiring for two roles @theexamination.org A news editor and an interim managing editor. Take a look at our jobs page and feel free to contact me with any questions! www.theexamination.org/careers/news...
News Editor
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
June 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
🚨We are hiring for two roles @theexamination.org A news editor and an interim managing editor. Take a look at our jobs page and feel free to contact me with any questions! www.theexamination.org/careers/news...
A UK lawmaker who visited tobacco giant Philip Morris International’s Swiss lab is now trying to delay an upcoming ban on the sale of heated tobacco to future generations. Great scoop by @MattChapmanUK www.theexamination.org/articles/uk-...
UK lawmaker seeks to delay heated tobacco ban after industry-funded trip
As public health experts warn of the dangers of heated tobacco products like IQOS, Lord Ed Vaizey argued that they should be excluded from a landmark ban pending further study – after touring Philip M...
www.theexamination.org
June 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM
A UK lawmaker who visited tobacco giant Philip Morris International’s Swiss lab is now trying to delay an upcoming ban on the sale of heated tobacco to future generations. Great scoop by @MattChapmanUK www.theexamination.org/articles/uk-...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
Shares of the world's biggest alcohol companies are down across the board - in large part because young people appear to be taking the health risks of drinking more seriously
Alcohol groups face a sobering cultural shift
Young adults are taking the health effects of drinking more seriously
www.ft.com
May 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Shares of the world's biggest alcohol companies are down across the board - in large part because young people appear to be taking the health risks of drinking more seriously
Trump’s cuts jeopardize crucial data on youth smoking and vaping rates worldwide. WHO says the absence of this data — key to tobacco control efforts — will leave a “playground” for tobacco companies. www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...
Trump’s cuts jeopardize crucial tobacco trends data in the US and beyond
The sudden shutdown of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health endangers a range of tobacco control programs stateside and surveys around the world.
www.theexamination.org
May 22, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Trump’s cuts jeopardize crucial data on youth smoking and vaping rates worldwide. WHO says the absence of this data — key to tobacco control efforts — will leave a “playground” for tobacco companies. www.theexamination.org/articles/tru...
So exciting to see our #WorldofPain project shortlisted. Congrats to the whole team! @examinationnews @paper_trail_m @derspiegel @derStandardat @Tamedia @ZDF @washingtonpost @Metropoles @CLIP_AmericaLat @saludconlupa @Plato_br @elelspectador @IrpiMedia @initiumnews @FinUncovered
💫 NEW! GIJN, the new home of the Sigma Awards, is proud to announce the 2025 shortlist for the best data journalism projects and portfolios in the past year.
👏 50 data journalism projects from 24 countries made it to the final round of the competition. https://twp.ai/9PSjQG
👏 50 data journalism projects from 24 countries made it to the final round of the competition. https://twp.ai/9PSjQG
gijn.org
Announcing the Sigma Awards 2025 Shortlist
twp.ai
May 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
So exciting to see our #WorldofPain project shortlisted. Congrats to the whole team! @examinationnews @paper_trail_m @derspiegel @derStandardat @Tamedia @ZDF @washingtonpost @Metropoles @CLIP_AmericaLat @saludconlupa @Plato_br @elelspectador @IrpiMedia @initiumnews @FinUncovered
New from @examinationnews: Internal docs show the Philippine president’s office opposed “any measure” that might hurt the tobacco industry—at a key global health summit. Story by @MattChapmanUK & @mariajpsl: www.theexamination.org/articles/how...
How industry capture of Filipino officials helped deadlock global tobacco control negotiations
A presidential agenda, pro-industry proposals and a probe — documents reveal Big Tobacco’s influence in the Philippines and on the international stage.
www.theexamination.org
May 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
New from @examinationnews: Internal docs show the Philippine president’s office opposed “any measure” that might hurt the tobacco industry—at a key global health summit. Story by @MattChapmanUK & @mariajpsl: www.theexamination.org/articles/how...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
@madlendavies.bsky.social from @theexamination.org discussed the importance of holding pharmaceutical companies to account over the promotion of opioids ⬇️
May 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
@madlendavies.bsky.social from @theexamination.org discussed the importance of holding pharmaceutical companies to account over the promotion of opioids ⬇️
Grünenthal, the German drugmaker notorious for the 1960s thalidomide scandal, has pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. Great to see our @examinationnews story in today’s @TheLancet www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Misleading marketing claims fuel tapentadol prescriptions
German drugmaker Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around
the world got hooked. Madlen Davies, Hristio Boytchev, and Rafael Cabrera report.
www.thelancet.com
March 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Grünenthal, the German drugmaker notorious for the 1960s thalidomide scandal, has pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. Great to see our @examinationnews story in today’s @TheLancet www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Today @examinationnews & partners reveal that Grünenthal, the German pharma company notorious for the 1960s thalidomide scandal, has been promoting its latest opioid in misleading ways. Prescriptions are ⬆️ in many countries. Read in @telglobalhealth.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
A world of pain: How a ‘safe’ painkiller unleashed a new wave of opioid addiction
Prescriptions of the lesser-known drug surged after being marketed as safer alternative to classic opioids
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Today @examinationnews & partners reveal that Grünenthal, the German pharma company notorious for the 1960s thalidomide scandal, has been promoting its latest opioid in misleading ways. Prescriptions are ⬆️ in many countries. Read in @telglobalhealth.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid tapentadol as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.
Fueled by misleading marketing claims, the German drugmaker’s painkiller tapentadol is on the rise.
www.theexamination.org
March 20, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid tapentadol as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
Prescriptions of the opioid have surged, fueled by the types of misleading claims about its addictive properties that ignited an opioid crisis.
www.theexamination.org/articles/gru...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
The FDA is falling short of legal requirements by not conducting enough food safety inspections, a new GAO report finds
Inspections are up the last few years but FDA hasn't met its targets since fiscal year 2018
h/t @hbottemiller.bsky.social
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
Inspections are up the last few years but FDA hasn't met its targets since fiscal year 2018
h/t @hbottemiller.bsky.social
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
Food Safety: FDA Should Strengthen Inspection Efforts to Protect the U.S. Food Supply
The U.S. food supply is generally considered safe, but tens of millions of people get sick from foodborne illnesses each year. Our Q&A report examines...
www.gao.gov
January 13, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The FDA is falling short of legal requirements by not conducting enough food safety inspections, a new GAO report finds
Inspections are up the last few years but FDA hasn't met its targets since fiscal year 2018
h/t @hbottemiller.bsky.social
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
Inspections are up the last few years but FDA hasn't met its targets since fiscal year 2018
h/t @hbottemiller.bsky.social
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
I am excited to be joining @DR_KMP at the @americanhealth #BAHISummit2024 to discuss her new research analyzing the impact of court decisions on public health! Tune in at 9AM to watch live: www.youtube.com/live/sKg4Tcl...
December 3, 2024 at 1:35 PM
I am excited to be joining @DR_KMP at the @americanhealth #BAHISummit2024 to discuss her new research analyzing the impact of court decisions on public health! Tune in at 9AM to watch live: www.youtube.com/live/sKg4Tcl...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
When squeezed, flavor capsule cigarettes release flavors like 🍉 watermelon, 🫐 blueberry and mint, making the smoke much more palatable – especially to young people. In Latin America, tobacco companies have leaned into these kid-friendly products.
Read more: www.theexamination.org/articles/fru...
Read more: www.theexamination.org/articles/fru...
Fruity 'click' cigarettes a hit with Latin American teens amid 'constant' industry lobbying
Companies release watermelon Marlboros, blueberry-menthol Luckies despite “smoke-free” promises
www.theexamination.org
November 21, 2024 at 3:21 PM
When squeezed, flavor capsule cigarettes release flavors like 🍉 watermelon, 🫐 blueberry and mint, making the smoke much more palatable – especially to young people. In Latin America, tobacco companies have leaned into these kid-friendly products.
Read more: www.theexamination.org/articles/fru...
Read more: www.theexamination.org/articles/fru...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
Fruit flavour “click” or “capsule” cigarettes are soaring in popularity in Latin America.
@examinationnews.bsky.social, Salud Con Lupa, and LaBot investigate how these are an expanding market for big tobacco companies despite their promises to protect young people
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
@examinationnews.bsky.social, Salud Con Lupa, and LaBot investigate how these are an expanding market for big tobacco companies despite their promises to protect young people
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
November 21, 2024 at 1:19 PM
Fruit flavour “click” or “capsule” cigarettes are soaring in popularity in Latin America.
@examinationnews.bsky.social, Salud Con Lupa, and LaBot investigate how these are an expanding market for big tobacco companies despite their promises to protect young people
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
@examinationnews.bsky.social, Salud Con Lupa, and LaBot investigate how these are an expanding market for big tobacco companies despite their promises to protect young people
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
Reposted by Madlen Davies
First post here! Watermelon Marlboros and blueberry Luckies: PMI & BAT have been releasing cigarettes in kid-friendly fruit and mint flavors in Latin America. Young people say they make it easier to start lighting up. theexamination.org/articles/fru... @examinationnews.bsky.social
Fruity 'click' cigarettes a hit with Latin American teens amid 'constant' industry lobbying
Companies release watermelon Marlboros, blueberry-menthol Luckies despite “smoke-free” promises
theexamination.org
November 21, 2024 at 1:37 PM
First post here! Watermelon Marlboros and blueberry Luckies: PMI & BAT have been releasing cigarettes in kid-friendly fruit and mint flavors in Latin America. Young people say they make it easier to start lighting up. theexamination.org/articles/fru... @examinationnews.bsky.social
Reposted by Madlen Davies
We're hiring!
Our newsroom @examinationnews.bsky.social is adding TWO new positions as we develop our audience for hard-hitting investigative reporting on threats to global public health.
Here is the listing for Audience Editor:
www.theexamination.org/careers/audi...
Our newsroom @examinationnews.bsky.social is adding TWO new positions as we develop our audience for hard-hitting investigative reporting on threats to global public health.
Here is the listing for Audience Editor:
www.theexamination.org/careers/audi...
Audience Editor
We investigate corporate behavior that threatens the health of communities around the world. See our reporting on tobacco, food, polluters and more.
www.theexamination.org
November 19, 2024 at 7:02 PM
We're hiring!
Our newsroom @examinationnews.bsky.social is adding TWO new positions as we develop our audience for hard-hitting investigative reporting on threats to global public health.
Here is the listing for Audience Editor:
www.theexamination.org/careers/audi...
Our newsroom @examinationnews.bsky.social is adding TWO new positions as we develop our audience for hard-hitting investigative reporting on threats to global public health.
Here is the listing for Audience Editor:
www.theexamination.org/careers/audi...